Happy Birthday Dad,

March 31, our birthday! I share my birthday with not one, not two, but THREE of my family members. My grandma had TRIPLETS so my dad, my uncle Richie, my uncle Bill and I all share the same birthday. Four birthday's on one day! Needless to say, March 31 is a pretty big day for our family. But what makes our story even more exciting is that I'm adopted! What are the odds your adopted daughter/niece has the same exact birthday?! Well, 22 years ago my mom and dad set off across the globe and adopted me from Nanjing China. When my parents found out my I shared the same birthday as my dad and two uncles, it just made the process of adopting even more exciting and special!

Today I turn 23, and every year my dad was the first person I'd wake up to. But unfortunately, this is my second birthday without him. My dad passed away almost 2 years ago, so March 31 is pretty lonely. For 21 years on this day, the phone would ring to wish "Ed and Sabrina a happy birthday!" now the phone only rings for me. And while today is pretty lonely, I've come to find comfort in simple "Happy Birthday" texts from friends and loved ones. It reminds me I'm not alone and how lucky I am to be surrounded by people who love me and that I love in return.

There were many lessons my dad taught me throughout the years, but the one he made most evident on our birthday was the lesson about love and sacrifice. For birthday parties and celebrations, he would always make sure I got all or most of the attention. One of my most favorite memories through elementary, middle, and high school would be when my dad would take time out of his own special day to make sure I had the coolest birthday lunch... McDonald's chicken nuggets, a large fries, and a medium strawberry shake! I never remember eating all of it, but I always remember making the other kids so jealous! He did all of that just to make sure I was happy and had a special birthday. I had the coolest dad and always remember it being the only fun part of having my birthday land on a school day. He always made sure I got all of the attention, but today I'm shining that light on him.

My dad and I never really talked about boys or relationships, but we never needed too. Through his example, he instead showed me how a man should treat a woman and how to love selflessly. In a household of all women, including our dogs, he would always go above and beyond to make each one of us happy. Any time any of us were sad, he was right there behind us to make it better. How a man is supposed to treat a woman was evident when watching my parents. From random surprises to one another, to working out fights. No matter what would happen, they did it together. I remember my dad was never a man of many words, but he would always show love through his actions - by doing things my mom wanted to do, going out to eat, spoiling her on her birthday, and always protecting her.

Our birthday always reminds me of my dad and the lessons he's taught me through the years. Every year he would shine the light on me, but today it's my turn to shine the light on him - by sharing with the world what a great man and father he was.

Happy Birthday Dad, today is your day. Thank you for always loving me unconditionally and for shaping me into the person I am today.

Love always,
Your Birthday Buddy